Chapter 12 - Twelve Percent
Grace thought it was a mistake.
It wasn’t.
Thomas Miller had quietly purchased shares through an employee ownership program before his death.
Those shares were transferred into a trust.
Years of mergers and restructuring had transformed the original stake into twelve percent of Blackwood Holdings.
Worth nearly four billion dollars.
Grace laughed when the lawyer told her.
Not because it was funny.
Because the number meant nothing.
Yesterday she had worried about rent.
Today people discussed her as if she were a corporation.
Adrian watched her carefully.
“You don’t have to decide anything.”
“Decide what?”
“Whether to claim it.”
Grace looked at him.
“It belongs to me?”
“Yes.”
“Then why wouldn’t I?”
The lawyer answered.
“Because claiming it triggers voting rights.”
Grace leaned back.
“And?”
“And your shares can determine control of Blackwood Holdings during the emergency board vote tomorrow.”
Grace stared at Adrian.
“What emergency vote?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
Someone had petitioned the board to remove him.
The petition had been filed that morning.
By investors claiming the gala scandal proved Adrian had lost control.
Grace understood immediately.
“This was planned.”
Adrian nodded.
“If I lose the vote, the acting chairman controls the company.”
“Who becomes acting chairman?”
Adrian hesitated.
“My cousin.”
“Name?”
“Julian Blackwood.”
Eleanor dropped her teacup.
Grace turned.
Eleanor had gone white.
“No.”
Adrian frowned.
“Mother?”
Eleanor whispered.
“Thomas said the person would appear powerless.”
Grace looked at her.
Julian Blackwood had spent years presenting himself as the harmless cousin.
No major office.
No public ambition.
No scandals.
He organized charity dinners.
Smiled in photographs.
Allowed Adrian to run everything.
But Julian’s mother had been Richard Blackwood’s younger sister.
And his father?
Victor Sinclair.
Grace stood.
“Julian is Victor’s son.”
Adrian stared.
Eleanor nodded slowly.
“Victor and Margaret Blackwood had a secret relationship.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“Because Richard forced them apart.”
Grace’s mind raced.
Julian carried both bloodlines.
Blackwood.
Sinclair.
If Adrian fell and Vanessa went to prison, Julian could become the acceptable replacement to both families.
The powerless person who benefited while everyone destroyed each other.
Grace whispered.
“He’s been waiting.”
Adrian’s phone rang.
It was security.
Julian Blackwood had just entered the palace.
Not alone.
May you like
He had brought twelve board members.
And he wanted to meet Grace.
